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Mary Rose

Henry VIII , founder of the Royal Navy was watching a battle between the French Fleet and his ships when  Mary Rose his favourite warship heeled over and sank on 19th July 1545.   The cause of the sinking is not fully understood but theories abound.

The informative talk was given by Bill Moore, from the Mary Rose Trust, assisted by his wife Merle. Both were  dressed in typical Tudor clothes and  Bill was one of the divers involved in the excavation and recovery of artefacts.

They brought about seventy replica artefacts ranging from everyday items such as ferrous needles and brass pins, combs and spoons, knives (Tudors didn't have forks) to containers used by the ship's surgeon. The originals were found in his chest amongst the wreckage of the ship. Also on display were a typical Tudor Longbow with quiver, bow stand and arrows, There was a replica of the linstock, elegantly carved with a open dragon's mouth to hold the slow match.The slow match was used the Tudor gunners  used to ignite the gunpowder by  touching the match to the touch hole on the gun.

Quiet time artefacts included a back gammon board made from oak (this replica was made from a 160 year old oak that came down in a storm). Bowls, platters, and tankards and horn cups also featured, as well as tallow candles and candle holders and lanterns. Many other fascinating replicas were also there to view.

The talk was supplemented by slides from the underwater excavation, photo's of the original artefacts and pictures of the actual lift to recover the ship from the bottom of he Solent.

Bill rounded off his talk with an update on the new museum which fully opens in 2013. It looks as if it will be a world class display of this iconic ship and its artefacts. See below for a few pics from this event.


for more information visit Maryrose.org.uk  

If you would like a talk on Mary Rose or what life was like on board contact Bill Moore on 01747 854018 or email Bill - [email protected]
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